The Money Pit Calls & Answers

There are plenty of options out there for keeping squirrels out of birdhouses, but the best deterrent is sometimes the simplest.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how to fix a leaky basement. Learn why you can't seal the basement; the only viable solution is to keep rainwater away from the foundation. Get tips on keeping your gutters clean and your downspouts extended far from your home. Another, more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how to fix a clogged faucet. Get tips on unscrewing the aerator to see if that restores the water pressure. Then take apart the aerator, clean it and put it back together. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Floor replacements yielding gap between door casing and floor? Learn about a piece you can use that will close that gap. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out which fence is best to put up when you want to completely block an unsightly view. Get tips on how to landscape the fence so that it isn't visible, but the bushes or trees are. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn how to apply wallpaper over paneling. Find out why you should skim the paneling wall with a thin layer of drywall before hanging wallpaper. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn how to repair wallpaper seams. Find out how a commercial wallpaper adhesive repair product and starch can fix wallpaper seams that are peeling up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how to remove rust from I-beams before you paint them. Get tips on sanding, then priming, and finally using a paint sprayer to apply Rust-Oleum paint. Learn how to cross-ventilate the space to get fresh air in while you work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn whether you should paint or remove your paneling. Find out why you should not spackle over paneling before painting it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn how to repair cracked floor tile near a shower stall. Find out why you should use a kitchen and bathroom caulk with mildicide to prevent the growth of mold and mildew. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Discover options for sealing a crack in a fiberglass walk-in shower without removing the tile around it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how to remove paint from wood using a chemical stripper. Get tips on letting it sit, according to the instructions, and then gently pressure washing it off so as not to damage the wood. Learn why you should use a solid color stain on your Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Got some creepy critters crawling in your walls? Learn the best way to rid your house of mice once and for all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can hard water affect the lifespan of an electric water heater? Learn about mineral deposits that can build up and how to soften hard water to prevent water heater damage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thick green moss, or black moldy stains can make roof look pretty bad. Find out how to remove this growth and stop it form coming back. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how to eliminate a squeaky floor. Learn tips for fixing a floor squeak after carpet has been installed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Some primers are better than others for sealing in stains. Find out which primer works best when repainting exterior siding. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out what to do if your water heater is leaning because the floor joist underneath has been cut. Get tips on reinforcing the cut joist with a sister joist. Ideally it would go from the foundation wall to the girder, but you might have to adjust or Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how the addition of an outdoor air intake can avoid draft problems and optimize a wood stove's effectiveness.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thinking of using a "paint and primer all-in-one" product for refinishing windows? More traditional methods can be more effective. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn some tricks of the trade to make a room feel larger and more open - without needing to tear down any walls. Get tips on using mirrors, paint, and furniture layouts to increase the light and make the room feel bigger. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn how to use temporary caulk for weatherstripping windows. Find out about brands of temporary window caulk that will stop drafts and save on home heating bills. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn about low-VOC rug and carpet options that are safer for the home environment. Get tips on having the carpet delivered a day or two before it's installed so it can air out outdoors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn how to restain stained wood. Find out what to do if you can't sand the original paint stain away, and get tips on how using a wood bleach may help you get the stain you want. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is duct cleaning worth the expense and hassle? The answer is: it depends! Find out how to determine if duct cleaning is needed and more ways to keep the air dust free in your home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices